As a singular, a muse is thought of as an inspirational spirit. This derives from a tradition in ancient Greece of the set of female gods associated with the arts and the inspiration these goddesses brought to artists toiling within a particular discipline.
It is traditional for a poet to invoke his or her muse, either generically or by name or domain, as a kind of prayer for guidance in the creation or oration of a poem.
The number, names and dominion of each muse differs according to time period and regional tradition. In some traditions there were three muses: Aoidē("song" or "voice"), Meletē ("practice" or "occasion"), and Mnēmē ("memory"). But the most widely-held names and dominions of muses are these:
Muse
As a singular, a muse is thought of as an inspirational spirit. This derives from a tradition in ancient Greece of the set of female gods associated with the arts and the inspiration these goddesses brought to artists toiling within a particular discipline.
It is traditional for a poet to invoke his or her muse, either generically or by name or domain, as a kind of prayer for guidance in the creation or oration of a poem.
The number, names and dominion of each muse differs according to time period and regional tradition. In some traditions there were three muses: Aoidē("song" or "voice"), Meletē ("practice" or "occasion"), and Mnēmē ("memory"). But the most widely-held names and dominions of muses are these:
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